A global centre for vehicle testing and development has struck a deal to launch a new facility to work on the potential of hydrogen power.
Horiba MIRA, which is based on a huge former airfield site on the Leicestershire Warwickshire border, is developing a fuel cell test centre with technology innovation company Ceres.
Based on research spun out from Imperial College London, Ceres was launched 20 years ago to bring cleaner and cheaper energy to businesses, homes and vehicles.
It supplies fuel cell technology to partners including Bosch, Weichai, Doosan and Miura.
Meanwhile, Horiba MIRA said the multi-million pound agreement underlines its growing status as a “premium provider of testing-as-a-service.”
It already works with some of the world’s leading developers of green transport tech as well as driverless and autonomous vehicle technology.
The deal will see a 2,600 sq ft test facility built at the Horiba MIRA headquarters, which are next to the A5, along with additional agreements to develop next-generation testing infrastructure to support Ceres’ core technology and system development.
The deal will also include the design, manufacture and certification of fuel cell testing systems, known as test stands, by the wider HORIBA group, so that Ceres can export its testing into international markets to meet local demands and rules.
The work will also result in new, high skilled jobs.
Mark Garrett, chief operating officer at Ceres, which is based in Horsham, West Sussex, said working together means it will be able to expand its global operations and position itself at the forefront of the international clean energy and hydrogen economy.
He said: “This partnership has many advantages, significant investment in the UK, the enablement of a state-of-the-art test facility to maintain Ceres’ technology leadership and support for our rapidly growing global partner base.
“We look forward to establishing a long-term partnership with Horiba MIRA.”
Graeme Stewart, chief technical officer at Horiba MIRA: “We are delighted that Ceres has selected and invested in us as the optimum partner to manage a large-scale testing programme for their fuel cell technology.
“Not only is Ceres’ clean energy market proposition vital for carbon reduction, but this agreement also recognises how our testing-as-a-service offer allows clients to focus on their core business with the confidence that essential testing and validation work is in highly competent hands.”
